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Discover The Magic of Signing Songs:: Enhancing All Children's Language, Literacy, Engagement, and Joy!
Discover The Magic of Signing Songs:: Enhancing All Children's Language, Literacy, Engagement, and Joy!
Discover The Magic of Signing Songs:: Enhancing All Children's Language, Literacy, Engagement, and Joy!
Sample e-Book Pages from The Magic of Signing Songs Literacy Manual
by Nellie Edge, updated 2009.
See Video Clips with Diane Larson at www.nellieedge.com
Discover the Magic of Signing Songs:
Enhancing All Childrens Language, Literacy, Engagement, and Joy!
Table of Contents
Discover the Magic of Signing Songs In Your Classroom 3
Build Enthusiasm and Motivation for Learning 4
Enhance All Childrens Language and Literacy 5
Keep Children Engaged and Focused 6
Parent Letter: Why We Teach American Sign Language 7
Use One, Consistent, Multisensory ABC Phonics Program 9
Send Your ABC and Phonics Chart and Song CD Home for Daily Review 10
Make Your Multisensory ABC and Phonics Immersion Program Be the Best 11
Make Learning Relevant: Multisensory ABC and Phonics Immersion Across the Curriculum 12
Personalize Your ABC and Phonics Program: Create a Classroom of Signing Experts 13
Dear Josh Letter: How to Sign Your Name 14
Build Fluency and Accelerate Literacy: Sing, Sign and Spell L-O-V-E 15
Sing, Sing and Spell to Accelerate Literacy: M-O-M Spells Mom 16
Heart Word Wall Features Only High-Frequency Words 17
Sing, Sign and Read: The More We Get Together/ Entre Mas Nos Reunimos (ASL Guide) 18
Sing Songs That Build Friendship and Literacy 19
Sing, Sign & Read: I Love the Mountains/ Amos Los Motes (ASL Guide) 20
I Love the Mountains: Differentiated Literacy Guide 21
Accelerate English and Spanish Learning Through the Magic of Signing Songs 22
Sing, Sign and Read: I Have a Cat/ Yo Tengo Un Gato 23
Use Literature and Sign Language to Build Literacy: I Have A Cat 24
Children and Their Families Learn About the Stars: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star 25
Give Children Good-Fit Books and a Framework for Building Independence and Stamina 26
The Pledge of Allegiance ASL Guide 27
Bridge Oral Language to Print: Use a Systematic Approach for Joyful Accelerated Literacy 29
The ASL Signs That Teachers Use Most Often for Class Management 30
Teachers Share Excitement About Using Sign Language to Enhance Literacy 32
The Magic of Signing Songs: Our Favorite Resources 33
Memorable Year-End Celebrations 36
Hola Mis Amigos/Adios Amigos 37
Discover the Magic of Signing Songs
In Your Classroom
4
Enhance All Childrens Language and Literacy
Children love to practice the sign
language ABCs during transition times and while
lining up for lunch, recess or the end of the day.
They proudly practice at home.
(For ABC cards, see Favorite Sign Language
Resources)
5
Keep Children Engaged and Focused
Using American Sign Language makes class Singing and signing enhances speaking
management easier: transition times skills: Young children who are fortunate
become learning times. Children fingerspell enough to learn ASL through the accelerated
the L-O-V-E Spells Love song as they go language medium of songs have an early and
quietly down the hall. (See ASL video life-long advantage in developing expressive,
clip L-O-V-E Spells Love from The Magic of dynamic speaking skills. Children are signing
Signing Songs DVD, at www.nellieedge.com.) rain from ABC Phonics: Sing, Sign, and
Read picture book by Nellie Edge.
6
Parents as Partners: Why We Teach American Sign Language
* F is signed both with the three fingers spread and with them closed. Used with permission.
For free manual alphabet chart see www.Sign2Me.com.
9
Send Your ABC and Phonics Chart and Song CD Home for Daily Review
ABC Phonics: Sing, Sign, and Read Song Chart by Nellie Edge
Special thanks to Susie Hass, Sally Rudnick, Diane Larson, and Julie Lay for inspiration.
aa bb cc dd
alligator bear cat dog
ee ff gg hh
elephant fox goat hat
ii jj kk ll
insect jump kangaroo lion
mm nn
oo pp
monkey nest octopus piano
qq rr ss tt
queen rainbow sunshine turtle
uu vv ww xx
umbrella volcano world x-ray
I can sign my abcs. t-h-e e-n-d
yy zz I can read.
Listen to me!
S Leer.
The end.
Escchenme a m. El fin.
yo-yo zebra
Rough draft from ABC Phonics: Sing, Sign, and Read Song picture book and program by Nellie Edge.
Published by Sign2Me (available late June, 2009). Demonstrated on The Magic of Signing Songs
DVD Vol. II, and as free video download from www.sign2me.com.
The Twinkle, Twinkle melody begins on a, m, and y.
Make Your Multisensory ABC and Phonics
Immersion Program Be the Best it Can Be!
(With special appreciation to my ABC and Phonics Immersion Pilot Team)
Sing and Sign: Add ASL fingerspelling for each letter and sign
the key phonics word.
Teach for instant letter/sound association in the brain. A--
alligator (accompanied with the emotionally engaging ASL) is a
more efficient mnemonic device than a-alligator-.
Dramatically explore each key phonics word (e.g., alligator, bear,
cat, dog, etc.). Let children dramatize the animals or objects to
heighten comprehension and emotional involvement. Have puppets
and/or stuffed animals available for additional small group
letter/sound instruction for those children who need it.
Sing, sign, and read your ABC Phonics picture book or language chart several times a
day. Provide explicit large group instruction for four to eight sounds/symbols at a time.
Then provide several 15-second reviews during the day (e.g., on the way to the library, out
to recess, transitioning to story time, etc.).
Send it home: Communicate, educate and engage parents as partners in ABC and
phonics immersion. Send home copies of the CD, the wall chart, and flashcards that
accompany the ABC Phonics: Sing, Sign, and Read book. Invite parents to have fun
practicing with their child several times every day. Ask each child, Where did you
hang your chart up? Who did you sing and sign for? Expect nightly review.
Have high expectations: provide emotionally engaging, multisensory instruction that
motivates and accelerates learning! You will be amazed at the progress.
Have one consistent ABC and phonics book with key symbols and sign language charts
available throughout the room: keep miniature versions in childrens writing notebook, on
the walls, in the art center, as mini-books in the home literacy center, etc.
Personalize your sign language ABC and phonics songbook and wall charts with
childrens art and photos of children signing. Let every child become an expert at one letter,
sound and symbol especially the most challenged learners.
Teach fingerspelling for childrens names. Fingerspell as you
quietly go down the hall. Fingerspell the L-O-V-E Spells Love and love
M-O-M Spells Mom songs. See video clips at
www.nellieedge.com.
Engage children in kid writing from the first day of school. Keep miniature versions of
your ABC/phonics charts available throughout the room to support childrens writing. Keep
one copy in their drawing and writing notebook.
Give children real words and sentences to sign, spell, write and read. Teach I love you
and the through auditory and kinesthetic channels.
How will you make your ABC and phonics instruction more
memorable?
11
Kathy Magoun Makes Learning Relevant: Multisensory ABC
and Phonics Immersion Across the Curriculum
Kathy Magoun, former teacher of the
year from Connecticut, is a long-time
advocate of using sign language for
joyful, multisensory learning so she
was excited to discover our ABC Sign
Language and Phonics Song. She
integrates ABC/phonics skills
throughout her child-centered
kindergarten program. Learning ABC
skills is rarely an isolated literacy event.
I asked Kathy, When and how
she introduced other ABC books?
After most children have a memorable
sense of The ABC Sign Language and
Phonics Song (which we sing all the
way through often the first few weeks of school), we use the pattern to introduce
each new page in other ABC books (e.g., A a alligator and A a apple). This
keeps the learning new and interesting.
Kathy elaborated, We review the letter/sound/sign language throughout the day and
across the curriculum whenever its relevant rather than singing the whole song
repeatedly. When we talk about families I say, F f fox and F f family... This way
connecting letter/sound/sign
language becomes a part of all of
our discussions and everything we
do and children learn naturally
and almost effortlessly.
12
Personalize Your ABC and Phonics Program:
Create a Classroom of Signing Experts
14
Build Fluency and Accelerate Literacy:
Sing, Sign and Spell L-O-V-E
Love: Cross hands (closed in fists) at wrist and place over heart.
Spells: Fingers of one hand make a motion of pushing keys on a typewriter/keyboard,
starting with index finger and going to little finger. Hand moves from center, outward
as you do this.
L-i-k-e
Like: The thumb and forefinger
pinch together by the chest and
move outward as if drawing the
heart towards something to show
an interest (liking) in something.
Make your own language chart of this song and teach it to the children early in the year.
Practice writing love efficiently. Watch the childrens joy as they sing, sign, spell
and write love over and over again. Soon they will be able to read love in any
context.
Available on Music is Magic CD with Nellie Edge and Tom Hunter.
See video clip at www.nellieedge.com from The Magic of Signing Songs seminar literacy manual and DVD II.
15
Sing, Sign and Spell to Accelerate Literacy
M-O-M Spells Mom
Mom: Touch thumb of
5 hand to chin once or
twice.
Dad: Touch thumb of 5 M-o-m spells mom.
hand to center of
forehead once or twice. D-a-d spells dad.
You: Index finger points Y-o-u spells you.
outward to other person. And m-e spells me.*
Me: Index finger points by Nellie Edge
to self (in chest area).
16
Add Sign Language to Your Heart Word Wall
The main word wall in the
room should only focus
on high-frequency
words. By focusing only
on these high utility
words, space is maximized
for environmental or
theme related print in
other locations in the
room, while minimizing
the space needed for one
permanent word wall.
Resist the temptation to
display childrens names
on this board.
Some teachers call high-frequency words Star Words because the words are
speciallike stars. Others call them Popcorn Words because the children need to
know they are always popping up. I prefer the term Heart Words because the
children want to know these words instantlyby heart!
Fingerspelling
To help make connections between a written letter and its
corresponding sign, I have combined two different
alphabets: the heart alphabet and the sign language
alphabet. These are displayed at the childrens height so
the large sign language hand shapes are easy for them to
form. Children practice by holding their hand on top of the
picture.
The Sign Language Alphabet Line by TS Denison is available at
www.frankshafferpublications.com
High-Frequency (Heart) Words That Kindergartners Actually Write and Read
*These 52 words comprise more than 50% of the actual words young children initially write and
read. We also sing and spell because and friend to the Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star melody.
I me/we/be is/it and book dear for with girl
love the cat go/no look today was his boy
you see dog stop to he/she are her today
Mom a/A like yes from get on they said
Dad this can my/by have thank am at/as in
An ongoing fluency action-research project, with Nellie Edge and colleagues 2008-2009.
From Writing to Read in Kindergarten: Explore the Power of Kid Writing, by Julie Lay and Nellie Edge.
17
Sing, Sign and Read: The More We Get Together/Entre Mas Nos Reunimos
From The Magic of Signing Songs seminar, ASL song book supplement.
See accompanying instructional DVD.
More We (ASL)
Two O hands tap in front of you two Index finger points to shoulder on your dominant side and comes around to touch the
times. other shoulder. We (Signed English) same motion with a W hand.
Your Friends My
Open hand (palm out) moves out towards Hook slightly bent index fingers together, Flat hand on chest in natural gesture.
other person. then reverse positions, so that the other
hand is on top.
See The More We Get Together/Entre Mas Nos Reunimos, A Nellie Edge Read and Sing Big Book.
Signed by Kimbria Ulshafer. ASL Consultant Diane Larson.
Bridge English to Spanish and Spanish to English. Entre Mas Nos Reunimos is available on the Spanish teaching
cassette Teaching Spanish Folk Songs, performed by Hector Pichardo, noted Hispanic linguist and recording artist.
18
Sing Songs That Build Friendships and Literacy
The More We Get Together Entre Ms Nos Reunimos
The more we get together, Entre ms nos reunimos,
together, together, reunimos, reunimos,
The more we get together, Entre ms nos reunimos,
The happier well be. Ms felices t y yo.
For your friends are my friends, Mi amigo es el tuyo,
And my friends are your friends. y el tuyo es el mo,
The more we get together, Entre ms nos reunimos,
The happier well be. Ms felices t y yo.
The end El fin
Study and fingerspell the high-frequency word we, w-e spells we.
Invite the children to look for the as they do a shared reading of the
Big Book. Highlight the with yellow tape.
Sing and learn to sign the language.
we
Do a jazzy t-h-e e-n-d, the end! chant with cha-cha-cha body movements when the
children stand and read The end.
Invite the children to sing and sign this song and create new verses. Their ideas can be
illustrated for a class book.
See video: The Magic of Signing Songs, Volume II and supplemental ASL signing guide by
Nellie Edge and Diane Larson.
Visual Images for Key Signs American Sign Language
Happier Happiness flows upward from your heart.
Friends This is a linking together of fingers or finger hugs.
The More We Get Together (available in English and Spanish), A Nellie Edge Read and Sing Big Book, 1996.
Recorded in English on Music is Magic CD and in Spanish on Music is Magic in Teaching Spanish cassette.
19
Sing, Sign & Read: I Love the Mountains/Amo Los Montes
See I Love the Mountains/Amo Los Montes, A Nellie Edge Read and Sing Big Book.
Signing by Kimbria Ulshafer. ASL Consultant Diane Larson.
Bridge English to Spanish and Spanish to English. Amo Los Montes is available on the Spanish teaching cassette, Teaching
Spanish Folk Songs, performed by Hector Pichardo, noted Hispanic linguist and recording artist.
20
I Love the Mountains: Differentiated Literacy Guide
Sing and sign this joyful I Love the Mountains
song repeatedly until the I love the mountains.
children have memorized I love the rolling hills.
it. When you come to I love the fountain.
I love the daffodils.
the ending, invite the I love the fireside,
children to get your When all the lights are low.
boomers ready! Model Boom-dee-ah-da, boom-dee-ah-da,
fists gently touching Boom-dee-ah-da, Boom-dee-ah-da.
Boom!
alternate hands. Traditional
Shared Reading:
Amo Los Montes
Introduce this traditional
folk song in a joyful way Amo los montes.
Amo las colinas.
as you sing and sign.
Amo las fuentes.
Connect the oral Amo las flores.
language to print. Track Amo la hoguera,
the print as you read and Cuando anochece.
sing. Look at the print in Tra-la-la-la, tra-la-la-la,
Tra-la-la-la, tra-la-la-la,
the title. What words do La!
you instantly recognize?
Rebuild the song in a pocket chart. Materials:
Music is Magic cassette or CD
Literacy Lessons: Words and Sentences Magic of Signing Songs video
Read these familiar words: I love the ____. Nellie Edge Read and Sing Big
Use letter/sound knowledge to predict the new word. Book I Love the Mountains
Look at the period at the end of each of the first four lines. Copies of the Little Book for
Talk about periods at the end of sentences. Have the children each child
move their hand left to right while they say the line and then Pointers
gesture and say period at the end of a sentence. I can read stamp
Highlight the exclamation mark with yellow. Explain that High-frequency bookmarks
the mark is used to show excitement or a command! Invite the and word list
children to make up sentences that would end with an Cow hand puppet (optional)
exclamation mark rather than a period. Yellow highlighter tape
Pocket chart and word cards
Language Play: Phonemic Awareness and
Invite the children to make up new verses. Ask What else do Multilevel Literacy Objectives:
you love? Sing the sentence, I love the _______ (pause) and Identifying endings s and
ask the children one at a time to finish the line. Thank them for ing
creating a new verse to the song. They will build adaptations, Responding to the rhythms of
substituting nouns for nouns. Use self-adhesive notes to cover up sound
the original words and write in the childs new ideas. The child Segmenting and blending
may later want to write and illustrate their own I Love book. words
Noticing punctuation at end of
Hand-jive: sentences
Teach the children a simple hand-jive pattern and let them Reading the powerful
connect with a partner to sing and experience the rhythm. Each sentence pattern: I love
pair can create different movements for Boom-dee-ah-da. the
Fluency and articulation
Auditory Spelling: Exclamation mark!
Review the L-O-V-E Spells Love song and T-H-E E-N-D, The End!
chant. With a strong writing to read emphasis, many children will Reflective Teaching:
be able to independently write I love the What strategies am I using to move
children from memory reading to
Give children authentic reading experiences with paying focused attention to print
and sound/symbol relationships?
real language that they will carry in their hearts
and minds forever.
21
Accelerate English and Spanish Learning Through the Magic
of Signing Songs: All Children Deserve the Gift of Many Languages
Teachers who are not native Spanish speakers need to provide children with authentic
Spanish language models when using songs to bridge Spanish and English. The CD,
Music is Magic for Teaching Spanish, with noted Hispanic linguist and recording artist Hector
Pichardo, was developed with feedback from bilingual and ESL teachers for this purpose. It
helps all learners develop the syntax and beauty of these songs in Spanish.
Experienced bilingual and ESL teachers are enthusiastic about the powerful language
gains seen when they engage learners in singing and signing songs. Both the English and
Spanish speaking children benefit from enhanced vocabulary development, comprehension,
reading fluency, and enthusiasm for learning. This is a promising strategy that deserves more
extensive research.
22
Sing, Sign and Read: I Have a Cat / Yo Tengo Un Gato
See I Have A Cat/Yo Tengo Un Gato, A Nellie Edge Read and Sing Big Book.
Signed by Kimbria Ulshafer. ASL Consultant Diane Larson.
Bridge English to Spanish and Spanish to English with this catchy echo chant. Yo Tengo Un Gato is
available on the Spanish teaching cassette Teaching Spanish Folk Songs, performed by Hector Pichardo,
noted Hispanic linguists and recording artist.
23
Use Literature and Sign Language to Build
Literacy: I Have A Cat
I Have A Cat
I Have A Cat I have a cat.
My cat wears a hat.
My cat is fat.
My cat says mee-ow.
I love my cat.
From a chant by Wilma Salzman
Adapted by Nellie Edge
Yo Tengo Un Gato
Yo tengo un gato.
Mi gato usa en sombrero.
Mi gato esta gordo.
Mi gato dice Miau.
Yo quiero a mi gato.
Translated by Marissa Zamora-Pearson
Taken from Celebrate Language and Accelerate Literacy by Nellie Edge, 2006. I Have A Cat and Yo Tengo Un Gato are
Nellie Edge Read and Sing Big Books, 1996, Nellie Edge Resources, Inc. I Have A Cat is recorded on the Music is Magic
CD and Yo Tengo Un Gato is recorded on the Music is Magic for Teaching Spanish cassette.
24
Children and Their Families Learn About the Stars
Awaken the childs love of
nature and sense of
wonder. Learning About
Our Earth and Solar
System is part of a year-
long study in Joanie Cutlers
kindergarten in Eugene,
Oregon. The children even
learn Greek myths about
the stars and learn to locate
familiar constellations.
Throughout the year
families are encouraged to
take night walks and observe the changing stars. After learning about the stars, children
draw their pictures of stars spinning in space. They create a star mural in the style of van Gogh
and develop (what may become) a life-long interest in astronomy.
After children have learned to sign We love the beautiful book Download complementary little
the song, they enjoy reading the No One Saw: Ordinary books at www.nellieedge.com.
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, sign Things Through the Eyes of They can be enlarged, colored,
and sing-along board book, by Annie an Artist, by Bob Raezka, backed, laminated, and taped
Kubler, Childs Play, 2004. Millbrook Press, 2002. together for guided reading.
Celeste Starr Teaches Children How to Draw a Star: Body Movement and
Language Builds Brain Connections
1 & 2 = Make an A (A=^) (with body also)
3 = Kick up your foot
4 = Cross your heart
5 = Touch your toe
Children also learn to draw spiral and twinkling stars. One child
exclaimed to Dad, This is my van Gogh like star. ( See ASL video clip,
ASL guide, and curriculum connections at www.nellieedge.com)
25
Give Children Good-Fit Books and a Framework for
Building Reading Independence and Stamina
Kindergartners Read to Self Early in the School
Year with Just-Right: I Can Read Books.
This boy is memory reading Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,
while his classmate is fluently reading the Little Book, The
More We Get Together. These books represent language
that these kindergarten children have been joyfully singing
and signing from Nellie Edge Read and Sing Big Books
and language charts from the first day of school.
Mother Goose Rhymes and Read and Sing Little Books
are Stored in Re-sealable I Can Read! Book Bags
27
The Pledge of Allegiance
All
Two flat hands, palms facing each other, one over the other; top hand circles out and around, landing on bottom hand with palm up.
28
Bridge Oral Language to Print:
Use a Systematic Approach for Joyful Accelerated Literacy
Oral language is still the vital foundation needed for a successful literacy program. However, in
order to connect oral language to print and accelerate reading development, we need a systematic plan
of differentiated instruction. With the support of repeated readings, children build fluency and
confidence.
Give children meaningful and memorable language as an invitation to read. Teach them to sign
and perform the language with confidence. Then plan the environment to systematically support
reading behavior until mastery is obtained. Transition from the support of shared and guided reading
to individual practice using helpers trained in the Neurological Impress Method (a gradual release of
responsibility model). When we teach children to recite, perform and read language with confidence,
fluency, and joy these positive beginnings build motivation and reading independence.
1. Use a Big Book, language chart or pocket chart with enlarged text to model the strategies that
successful readers use. Teach new literacy skills and high-frequency words within the context of
the whole piece of language. Focus on one part of the text for explicit instruction and then return
to reading/singing/signing the entire text in unison, while tracking the words.
2. Consider making class books or poem boards for songs and rhymes that are not already
available in book format (and easily accessible for classroom reading). 10" x 12" poem boards
can be laminated and stored in a poetry board box. These can be selected for daily read to
self time throughout the year by the children, even after newer poems, songs, chants and pledges
have replaced earlier language charts in key positions on classroom walls. (Alas, there is never
enough wall space!)
3. Give every child a growing collection of personal Little Books and/or I Can Read
Notebook pages of the new language for further reading practice. (Buddy reading with a fluent,
trained 4th grader is helpful.) Little Books and I Can Read Notebooks go home for family
reading.
Shared Reading Guided Reading Practice Independent Rehearsal
Language is printed on individual A class book is made featuring The same lyrics are also placed in
word cards that can be manipulated children signing The Pledge of each childs I Can Read or
in a pocket chart. Colored acetate Allegiance. (Notice the spacing Read Together Notebook as an
overlays high-frequency words. between words.) This book is anthology page or Little Book so
Children recite words in unison. available in the library or the they can be read over and over
Skills are taught in context. childs book boxes for guided and again with fluency and delight.
independent reading.
What organized system have you developed to accelerate literacy with
predictable and memorable print?
28
These are the ASL Signs Teachers Use Most often for Class Management
Yes (si)
The S handshape
shakes up and
down. The S
handshape
represents the head
nodding.
From The Magic of Signing Songs: Enhancing All Childrens Language and Literacy, by Nellie Edge 30
These are the ASL Signs Teachers Use Most often for Class Management
From The Magic of Signing Songs: Enhancing All Childrens Language and Literacy, by Nellie Edge 31
Teachers Share Excitement About Using Sign Language
At Open House the children signed What a Wonderful World and the
audience was mesmerized watching the children. At the school assembly, I
sign please sit down so I dont have to call a childs name. They are so
good at following visual signal now.
Irene Wing (K CA)
Our whole primary school has a flag raising every Monday morning. My
first graders take turns standing up in front of the group and signing the pledge.
The other classes are learning it just by watching and my students are so proud
of themselves.
Vicki Santos (1st CA)
My children just love to sign. I teach them songs in English, Spanish and
American Sign Language. At the end of the year, they put on a performance
for parents its really special.
Susanne Livingston (Head Start, WA )
I do sign with my students and have not had a single parent complain that
their TAG child is not being stretched. They love it!
Dorothy Lemons (K OR)
Our performance was great. The kids were wonderful. And they were so
proud of themselves! We invited the parents back to our classroom and we
basked in the praise of the grownups about their performance. It was a great
way to end the quarter and begin spring break.
Glenda Cutright (K OR)
The children are much more involved now that Im using sign language.
It is easier to capture their attention especially the boys. We are a
multicultural school. It is just awesome to see how involved our African
American students are and expressive in doing songs in sign.
Nancy Caudell (K OR)
I love to use sign language in my classroom. There are so many advantages. I
was asked to give a workshop to all the kindergarten teachers in my Glendale
District. I told the teachers, If you dont use it for phonics or anything else,
be sure to use it for your classroom management.
Chris Simmons (K CA)
32
The Magic of Signing Songs Our Favorite Resources
The Perigee Visual Dictionary of Signing
Book by Rod Butterworth and Mickey Flodin
Your class needs at least one sign language dictionary. This affordable
paperback is our choice.
Lift Up Your Hands
Book by Donna C. Gadling, Pastor Daniel H. Pokorny, and Dr. Lottie L.
Riekehof (1992). Produced by: The National Grange, 1616 H Street NW,
Washington, D.C. 2006. (202) 628-3507; www.nationalgrange.org
Favorite patriotic songs with illustrations for sign language interpretation are
featured. They use a combination of American Sign Language signs and English word order.
Beginning Sign Language Books and Free ASL Alphabet Poster
Book series by S. Harold Collins. Produced by: Garlic Press, 1312 Jeppesen Ave., Eugene, OR,
97401; (541) 345-0063; www.garlicpress.com
Our two favorites are: Signing at School, which presents especially common signs, sentences and
vocabulary for use in the early childhood classroom, and Signs for Animals and Pets (a board book).
Dancing with Words: Signing for Hearing Childrens Literacy
Book by Marilyn Daniels. Westport, CT: Bergin & Garvey, 2001.
This fascinating book presents the research underlying the recommendation of teaching sign language
to all children to improve hearing childrens English vocabulary, reading ability, spelling proficiency,
self-esteem and comfort expressing emotions.
Seminar and Distance Learning Materials
(Email info@nelliedge.com for details.)
The Original Video (Now DVD): The Magic of Signing Songs, Volume I
Instructional DVD: How to sign 21 songs, from Nellie Edge Seminars. Signed
by Diane Larson. Nellie Edge Resources, Inc. www.nellieedge.com
Includes ABC Song; Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star; You Are My Sunshine; May There
Always Be Sunshine; Sing Your Way Home; Five Little Monkeys; Happy Birthday;
Rainbow Round Me; Magic Penny; I Think Youre Wonderful; Sign to Me; We Wish
You a Merry Christmas.
Also includes Nellie Edge Read and Sing Big Books:
I Can Read Colors (Se Leer Colores); I Have A Cat (Yo Tengo Un Gato); The Opposite Song (La
Cancion de Opuestos); Goodnight Irene (Buenos Noches Irene); Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear (Osito,
Osito); I Love the Mountains (Amos Los Montes).
Comes with ASL Instruction Book and I Can Read anthology set.
Maximizing Language and Literacy Through the Magic of Signing Songs
Literacy Manual by Nellie Edge, Revised 2008.
This book combines research and best practices for incorporating 21 well-loved songs in sign
language into the preK-3 curriculum. It contains the words, music, and chords for all signed songs
and is designed to accompany the original instructional DVD The Magic of Signing Songs. You will
find concise summaries of informative articles, Brain-Friendly Literacy strategies, classroom rituals
and traditions that build joyful learning communities, the rationale for signing songs with all children,
and resources for additional study. Includes a separate I Can Read Anthology packet of 10 songs,
poems, and rhymes (blackline masters).
33
The Magic of Signing Songs: Enhancing All Childrens Language and Literacy
Literacy Manual by Nellie Edge, revised 2008.
The next best thing to attending the engaging signing seminar, The Magic
of Signing Songs, is to study this book and the accompanying seminar
video. This practical book is designed to introduce all educators to the
joyful art of signing songs. Engage your children in signing songs for
powerful ABC and phonics immersion, to enhance spelling, reading and
speaking skills, build a cooperative learning community, and utilize their
multiple intelligences in learning and expressing language. Includes words
and extensive curriculum connections for all songs, Brain-Friendly
Literacy strategies, sample parent letters, phonemic awareness and
differentiated literacy guides, information on using sign language for class
management, classroom rituals and celebrations, literacy research, and resources. Book comes with
ASL instructional book and I Can Read Anthology and Little Book collection (blackline masters).
DVD: The Magic of Signing Songs, Volume II
(Includes song book with pictorial American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation)
Instructional DVD of 10 songs from Nellie Edge Seminars. Signed by Diane Larson.
Nellie Edge Resources, Inc. www.nellieedge.com
Includes: The Sign Language ABC and Phonics Song, What a Wonderful World, Pledge of Allegiance,
America the Beautiful, This Land is Your Land, See Me Beautiful, The More We Get Together (with
variations), L-O-V-E Spells Love, M-O-M Spells Mom, English and Spanish Greeting and Farewell
Song. These songs have accelerated literacy, engaged children in joyful learning, and brought
audiences to tears.
Teachers, parents and their children love how easy it is to learn to sign memorable songs with our new
video. Each song is sung and signed in its entirety; the signs are slowly demonstrated and explained
and the song is repeated. Take this video and the songs with the accompanying visual ASL guide into
your classroom (or living room) and learn to sign along with your students.
Comes with ASL Instruction Book and I Can Read anthology set.
ABC Phonics: Sing, Sign and Read (Picture Book/CD and Program) by Nellie Edge
2001, revised 2006, 2009. Seattle, WA: Sign2Me/Northlight Communications.
This new Sing, Sign and Read Book by Nellie Edge provides powerful,
multisensory ABC and phonics immersion. Each engaging page features one
letter with its manual, American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet hand shape, a
prominent picture of the key phonics symbol associated with that letter and a
child demonstrating the appropriate ASL sign. (An instructional video with
several versions of the song will be available as a free download from Sign2Me.)
Email Sign2Me to receive information for the additional Training Resource
Packet, including ABC charts, flashcards, Accelerated Literacy Guide, and parent
letters for home-school collaboration. (Product Publishing DateMay 2009)
Come Sign With Us
Book by Jan C. Hafer and Robert M. Wilson; illustrated by Paul Setzer. Washington, D.C.:
Clerc Books, 1996.
Here is a fully illustrated activities manual for teaching children sign language. It features more than
300 line drawings of adults and children signing familiar words, phrases, and sentences using
American Sign Language (ASL) signs in English word order. All signs have equivalent words listed in
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English and Spanish as well. The Come Sign With Us video is also available.
Sign with Your Baby
Book and Video/DVD by Joseph Garcia
Seattle, WA: Northlight Communications, 1999.
www.sign2me.com
We love this timeless book and DVD it makes a wonderful gift for new parents! The how-to DVD
shows Dr. Joseph Garcia and wise, responsive parents empowering early, two-way communication
with their babies and toddlers while supporting English language development, all through the use of
American Sign Language signs.
I love Kyle
Sign Language Alphabet Line by TS Denison available at http://www.frankschaffer.com/
These child-size handshapes are perfect to display in the classroom at kid level. Simply cut
the alphabet line apart and add your hand-made
laminated heart letters, or use a die cut machine.
(See page 118.)
Practice American Sign Language on the Internet
Michigan State University ASL (American Sign Language) Browser *
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/title
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The Kinder Stars Year-End Celebration: Children Share
Sign Language and Learning and Love
This video clip is from The Magic of Signing Songs, Volume II, DVD and seminar literacy
manual. See seminar page for upcoming professional development seminars and distance
learning opportunities. 37